SPRING HILL, Fla. (CBS12) — A Spring Hill man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a dog fighting conspiracy and firearm possession.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Jose Miguel Carrillo received the 84-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court documents revealed that Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for dog fighting. He also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to similar events in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A search warrant executed in June 2023 at Carrillo’s residence led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, a firearm, and ammunition. Most of the dogs were later adopted. Authorities also discovered dog fighting paraphernalia, including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.
“To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”
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Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida said, “Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent. Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”
Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) stated, “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities.”
The investigation was conducted by the USDA-OIG, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and Fitchburg Police Department, with assistance from several other agencies. The case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners.
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